PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – It took a few innings to get going, but once the Etta Express got rolling there was no stopping it as the No. 2 ranked Pioneers defeated Ohio Wesleyan University Wednesday (March 13) afternoon by the score of 18-1.
Marietta improves to 6-1 overall, while Ohio Wesleyan falls to 1-2 on the season.
Senior Evan Brockmeier (2-0) made his third career start on the mound and threw 5.0 innings of shutout ball to get the win. Brockmeier allowed four hits with four walks and three strikeouts.
The Pioneers got on the scoreboard with two runs in the fourth innings and ended up scoring in each of their last six at bats. Freshman Ryan Hanahan and junior Zach Bukiewicz each had RBI singles in the two-run fourth.
Marietta built a 5-0 lead through six innings and then erupted for nine in the top of the seventh. All of the scoring came with two outs in the inning. The Pioneers sent 14 hitters to the plate and banged out seven hits in the inning.
Senior Jordan Grilliot delivered a two-run single and fellow classmate Aaron Hopper crushed a two-run triple to right field.
Marietta added two runs in the eighth and two more in the ninth for an 18-0 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth.
Ohio Wesleyan broke up the shutout with an unearned run in its final at bat.
Senior third baseman Bryan Gregorich was Marietta's leading hitter going 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Five other Pioneers had two hits in the game as Marietta tallied 18 hits on the day.
First baseman Mitch Geers, Hopper, catcher Alex Toth, Hanahan and Bukiewicz all had two hits apiece. Hopper had a double, a triple and drove in three runs. Grilliot, Hanahan, Bukiewicz and freshman Tim McCoy each drove in a pair of runs.
Freshman Jason Byers and senior Mike Mulvey threw 2.0 innings each in relief of Brockmeier. Byers retired all six hitters he faced, while Mulvey allowed four hits and was charged with the unearned run.
Greg Hock (0-1) took the loss for Ohio Wesleyan. Hock went 4.0 innings and allowed two runs on four hits. He walked four and struck out two. Four other Battling Bishops took the mound.
Marietta is back in action on Friday (March 15) against 2012 World Series qualifier Webster University (Mo.) at 12:00 p.m. Fans can follow the Pioneers all season long at pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on Twitter.